The documentary has become a neglected art form. Shows depicting carnivores murdering herbivores, surreal creatures of the abyss doing their thing, and the livelier bits of history, like wars, disasters and market crashes, remain somewhat popular on television. But well-meaning work depicting the difficulties of marginal farmers, endangered weavers and brilliant but misunderstood poets is often relegated to BYOF (bring your own film) festivals, to edify other documentary-makers. Meanwhile, the world remains indifferent. It carries on watching documentaries about Operation Torch and the dietary preferences of big cats.
This is a disgrace, because there are compelling reasons to watch documentaries. They expand the mind, broaden the outlook and raise awareness in a manner that Jason Bourne cannot. And now, the most compelling reason has been discovered — the business end of a gun. In the Ukrainian town of Lutsk, a 44-year-old man with a history of extreme views and a portrait showing him cradling a sawn-off Kalashnikov, took 13 people hostage in a bus and forced them to watch Shaun Monson’s Earthlings at gunpoint. He also demanded that President Volodymyr Zelensky promote the documentary. Being a comedian by profession, the president complied, and promptly pulled the promo when the hostages were released.
